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Recreational Vehicle and ATV Accidents in Southwest Florida In Florida, residents are fortunate enough to be able to enjoy the great outdoors year-round. Many Floridians choose to spend their free time riding All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) for pleasure. According to the Consumer Protection Safety Commission (CPSC), Florida had the 6th highest number of fatalities involving ATV accidents. We would like to help educate you on how to avoid this type of tragedy. If you are involved in an ATV accident, we are here to help. There Are Many Factors That Contribute to ATV Accidents Age of operator Type of ATV Speed of ATV Terrain Intoxication Helmets Passengers Age of Operator and Type of ATV The age of the operator and the type of ATV play a crucial role in many ATV accidents. Most of the ATVs you see today are 4-wheel, these are considered safer than 3 wheel ATVs. All ATVs are designed for specific age groups. When children operate an adult ATV they will have trouble controlling the ATV as well as face the added danger of riding on a faster and larger machine. Youth ATVs also have additional safety features to help keep children safe. These include smaller handlebars, larger brakes, and mirrors, and some include remote safety switches that an adult can operate. Dangerous Speeds of ATV aka All Terrain Vehicles ATVs are generally considered safer than a motorcycle when used at a low speed. However, like a motorcycle, an ATV provides little protection when involved in an accident. Rollover accidents involving ATVs can be especially dangerous, with many of these types of accidents involving serious injury or death. On steep or hilly terrain an ATV can be dangerous at any speed. This is due to the increased likelihood of a rollover accident. According to Consumer Affairs, people are using ATVs at high speed on paved roads, this is helping to contribute to a 10% increase in fatalities. Intoxication, Helmets, and Passengers Regarding ATV Safety and Accidents There are three things you should never do when operating an ATV. Never consume alcohol when operating an ATV. Alcohol will impair your judgment and increase your likelihood to be in an accident. Never ride without a helmet. Safety gear can help reduce the seriousness of injuries sustained during an ATV accident. Never operate an ATV with a passenger. It is not safe, ATVs require the operator to shift their weight during operation. Having a passenger will reduce your ability to safely operate an ATV. We Are Here To Help If You Are in ATV Accidents in Southwest Florida With certain ATV accidents, there is the potential liability of the operator (if you are a passenger), another ATV operator if you are riding with one or more additional ATVs, or liability of the manufacturer for negligent design. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have over 5 decades of experience with personal injury cases. We have six offices located in Southwest Florida. Our offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers (two offices to serve you), Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh, and Port Charlotte. Call us today to set up your appointment for a free consultation. Justice Starts Now.

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Despite efforts every year to increase awareness of motorcycle and bicycle safety, there’s no getting around that accidents happen. More cars, more people and more distractions guarantee it. The combination of great motorcycle weather and distracted or inattentive drivers of motor vehicles in Florida is deadly. Nearly 600 motorcycle riders are killed on Florida roads each year, according to the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Florida continually ranks in the top three states in the nation for motorcycle-related fatalities, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. That’s why May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Motorcyclists are about 27 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to die in a crash and five times more likely to get injured, according to the Department of Driver Services. The injury rate for motorcycle riders involved in a collision is 80 percent. Surprisingly, weather is a factor in only 2 percent of accidents. Speed is often not a factor, either. The average motorcycle speed prior to an accident is 29.8 mph. Most motorcycle accidents with another vehicle are the fault of the other driver. About three-quarters of motorcycle accidents involve collisions with another vehicle, most often a passenger automobile, with two-thirds of them caused by the other vehicle violating the motorcycle’s right-of-way. May Is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you should contact a personal injury attorney, who may be able to help you obtain more relief than you would get on your own and can guide you through the process of making claims to insurance carriers of other drivers. Retaining the services of a motorcycle personal injury lawyer with experience handling motorcycle accidents means your lawyer knows what to look for when investigating the accident and assessing the strength of your claim. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers several tips for motorcycle operators. Obtain proper licensing, practice driving your motorcycle before you attempt to navigate roads with traffic and ensure your motorcycle is working properly. Always wear a helmet, avoid unnecessary risks, don’t consume alcohol or drugs. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, helmets reduce fatalities by 37%. Safety Tips for Motorists Of course, preventing accidents is the best course of action. Here are some motorcycle safety tips for car drivers from the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, since May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Never attempt to share the lane with a motorcycle. The motorcyclist is entitled to the entire lane Watch for motorcycles and look carefully before pulling into an intersection or changing lanes It is difficult to gauge the speed of a motorcycle; they may appear to be much farther away than they really are Do not follow too closely behind a motorcycle; motorcycles can stop more quickly than other vehicles Motorcyclists often slow down by down shifting or rolling off the throttle, thus not activating the brake light Never pass a motorcyclist with only a few feet of space. The force of the wind gust can cause the rider to lose control When being passed by a motorcycle, maintain your lane position and do not increase your speed Maintain a four-second buffer zone between you and a motorcyclist, and increase space when encountering inclement weather, gusty winds, wet or icy roads, bad road conditions and railroad crossings

Florida Public Bus Accidents Millions of Americans rely on public buses every day to get to work, go to school, or just get from one place to the next. In general, riding a public bus is very safe. In fact, while passenger vehicles yield 6.53 deaths per billion passenger-miles, public buses only yield 2 deaths. However the omnipresence of buses for city dwellers is not without risk. If you are someone who drives in an urban area and frequently shares the road with buses, your assumptions about when to be at high alert for bus accidents may be incorrect. In reality, of the 2,405 bus collisions in 2002 and 2003, 80 percent occurred in clear weather conditions, and 90 percent occurred with substantial lighting (either daylight or adequate street lighting). Drivers should be the most vigilant, according to a study by the National Transit Database, when at intersections, as this is when most bus accidents occur. Driving alongside public buses also can result in property damage. Those same 2,405 collisions resulted in over 15 million dollars in damages. Any public safety concerns caused by public buses are not limited to drivers. Pedestrians in the city should be cautious and watch for buses as they cross the street. In 2013, 64 pedestrians were killed by buses. Due to their size and visibility limitations, buses have a higher percentage of fatalities resulting from a rear or right side collision to a pedestrian. It is imperative, therefore, to be aware of your surroundings while walking, in order to notice a bus from which you may not be visible. Bus accidents are rare, but can have real and lasting consequences when they occur. Attentive driving and walking can greatly reduce the risks of these accidents. Who to call if injured in bus accidents in Florida If you or someone you love has been injured in an accident with a public bus, it is important to seek legal counsel to get the justice you deserve. SWFL attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, and Purtz have over 50 years of legal experience in dealing with personal injuries. We have six offices located in Southwest Florida. Our offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers (2 offices to serve you), Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Naples and Port Charlotte. Contact us today.

Stephen W. Buckley celebrates 50 years with the firm this year! He says he never intended to stay in Florida after his grandparents offered to pay for his college at the “new” Edison College (now Florida SouthWestern State College). His planned to get his education in Florida and move back to Connecticut where he grew up. His grandparents had been vacationing on the other coast and moved to Fort Myers in the 1950s. “None of the kids or grandkids were close by, so they asked me if I would come down and start my college and they would help with expenses.” He transferred to the University of Florida for his undergraduate degree in journalism and then Florida State University for his law degree. “One of the kids in the class asked the assistant dean where he would go to practice law, and he said Fort Myers,” Buckley said. “I had ties in Fort Myers.” He said he always knew he wanted to be a lawyer. His father and grandparents were in real estate. “I grew up with real estate law,” he said. Now he assists clients with wills, trusts, estate planning, probate, real estate and real property law cases. Buckley is a top-rated lawyer under the Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rating system. After graduating from law school in 1969, he moved to Florida and joined the firm, then seven years old and located in downtown Fort Myers in its present location at the corner of Main Street and Broadway. Fort Myers was a different place when he started. Area Bar meetings were held in a corner of the former Snack House restaurant. Edison Mall had just opened, pulling Sears and J.C. Penney’s from downtown. When he started, he said there were five men’s stores downtown. “Attorneys wore suits more then than they do now,” he said, “Everyone dressed to the hilt.” Stephen W. Buckley celebrates 50 years with the firm Buckley has seen tremendous change in the law through the years. “I think today there are more judges than attorneys,” he said. “When I started there were two circuit judges and one county judge.” He remembers one of his first cases was to get a woman in real estate the right to sell property she owned without consent of her husband, which was the rule at the time. Shortly after he was able to make her a “free dealer,” the rule was abolished. He also remembers a case where he worked with the Coast Guard to have a man declared dead who disappeared in the Bermuda Triangle on a flight to Bimini. Without a body, it would have taken five years for his spouse to get a death certificate. He said the investigation determined how much fuel the plane had and every place the plane could have landed. The plane, the man and his passenger were never found. He enjoys spending time vacationing at his home in Maine, but Buckley says he has no intention of retiring. “I enjoy what I’m doing,” he said. “I don’t play golf. I don’t play tennis. I don’t fish. I’ll just keep doing it while I can, and the clients want to work with me. My wife would have a long honey-do list if I did retire.” He and his wife, Bonnie, who he met in Fort Myers at a roller-skating rink, celebrate their 50 th wedding anniversary in August.

Multi Vehicle Accidents in Florida Many Floridians take to the road every day expecting to make it safely to their destination. These drivers use caution and drive safely. Then, unexpectedly they become involved in a multi-vehicle accident. multi vehicle accidents often involve serious injuries and even death.  If you are involved in a multi-vehicle accident, it is important you know your rights. Cause of Multi Vehicle Accidents in Florida Multi-vehicle accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Sometimes a driver is impatient and attempts to make a turn and is hit by oncoming traffic. This happened recently in Lehigh Acres and a little girl lost her life. Many times, an accident happens so quickly that other vehicles don’t have enough time to avoid it. In New Orleans, a firefighter was killed when a bus failed to stop for a previous accident. Who Is To Blame in These Accidents? Responsibility in a multi-vehicle accident can often be complicated and time-consuming. In the case of the bus accident in New Orleans, the driver of the bus claimed his brakes did not work. It took over 6 months for investigators to determine the bus driver was not telling the truth. In the Lehigh Acres accident, the impatient driver did not have his lights on when the accident took place. Every multi-vehicle accident has many factors that need to be taken into consideration.  An expert attorney can help you navigate this difficult process. Insurance Claims for Multi Vehicle Accidents Insurance claims can be challenging in any type of accident. Multi-vehicle accidents tend to have more parties filing claims as the result of the accident. These additional claims can create complications when you make your claim. Having an experienced attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve. Who To Call If You’re In Southwest Florida Vehicle Accident If you are the victim of a multi-vehicle automobile accident it is important to seek legal counsel. The Fort Myers personal injury attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have over 5 decades of experience with automobile accidents. We have six offices located in Southwest Florida. Our offices are conveniently located in Fort Myers (two offices to serve you), Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte. Call us today to set up your appointment for a free consultation.

Today’s news is concerning the Belviq diet drug recall. It’s very disconcerting to find out that a drug you were taking to improve your health may be seriously harming it. In February, The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that the manufacturer of Belviq and Belviq XR (lorcaserin) voluntarily withdraw the weight-loss drug from the U.S. market because a safety clinical trial identified an increased occurrence of several types of cancer, including pancreatic, colorectal and lung in people taking the drugs. Belviq Diet Drug Recall: What You Should Know Studies conducted since Belviq was approved for use in 2012 found that of 12,000 patients taking it, about 7.7 percent were diagnosed with cancers, compared to 7.1 percent in a placebo group. Belviq was approved as a prescription weight loss drug for adults who are obese or who have weight related medical problems that prohibit them from losing weight through traditional diet and exercise. The active ingredients of the pill are intended to trigger chemical signals that make people want to eat less. Despite pre-market testing that suggested Belviq exposure in rats could cause cancerous tumors, the FDA approved Eisai to start promoting the drug. However, the manufacturer was required to conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in order to determine if there were any cancer or cardiovascular side effects in humans from Belviq. After reviewing the results of the clinical trial, the FDA decided to ask for the Belviq diet drug recall, believing the risks of lorcaserin outweigh the benefits. The trial was conducted in 12,000 patients over 5 years. A range of cancer types was reported, with several different types of cancers occurring more frequently in the lorcaserin group, including pancreatic, colorectal and lung. Belviq and Belviq XR are manufactured by Japanese drug maker Eisai Co. who began selling the medication in the U.S. in 2013. The medication quickly became a popular choice among prescribing doctors, with more than 600,000 prescriptions filled in 2015 alone, with sales reaching an estimated $50 million. In light of the recall, patients should stop taking lorcaserin and talk to healthcare professionals about alternative weight-loss medicines and weight management programs. Belviq and Belviq XR are manufactured by Japanese drug maker Eisai Co. who began selling the medication in the U.S. in 2013. The medication quickly became a popular choice among prescribing doctors, with more than 600,000 prescriptions filled in 2015 alone, with sales reaching an estimated $50 million. It appears that manufacturers knew or should have know about the link between the Belviq diet drug recall and cancer for years. As a result, users who were harmed by the drug may be entitled to financial compensation and settlements from the manufacturers. Further, if a member of your family died because of cancers potentially caused by Belviq, you may be able to pursue compensation for wrongful death. If you are someone you love used Belviq or Belviq XR for weight loss for at least three months since 2012 and was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, lunch cancer or another cancer along the digestive tract, we welcome the opportunity to assist you. For a free consultation and more information about the Belviq diet drug recall, please call one of our Southwest Florida legal firm offices at (239) 326-0558. If you prefer, you may complete our form and a client relations representative will contact you.

National Patient Safety Awareness Week will take place this year from March 10-16. Nearly everyone will need healthcare at some point. Being a patient means putting your trust in someone else. While most Americans have had positive experiences with healthcare providers, 21 percent of adults report having personally experienced medical error, according to a national survey released in 2017 by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF). Medical mistakes can often have lasting impacts on a patient’s physical health, financial well-being or family relationships. Some studies suggest that medical error may cause as many as 400,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Medical errors and safety lapses can happen in many forms: Diagnosis: National Academy of Medicine estimates suggest that 5 percent of U.S. adults who seek outpatient care experience a diagnostic error. Infection: The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality estimates that 1 in 31 hospitalized patients will contract an infection there. Medication errors and adverse events: These are the most common errors in both inpatient and outpatient settings. National Patient Safety Awareness Week In recognition of patient safety issues, IHI and NPSF created National Patient Safety Awareness Week from March 10-16 to focus on a culture of safety and patient engagement. While most will receive medical treatment without errors, mistakes can be made. Patients have a responsibility to take part in their care. The following are ways to be proactive and help reduce the possibility of healthcare errors. Share your health history with your caregiver. This includes medication, operations or allergies. The more your caregiver knows, the more successful your care plan and recovery will be. Be your own advocate or ask someone you trust to be one for you. Know all the who, what, when, where and why about your care and treatment. Expect everyone involved in your care to introduce themselves by name, and to wear an identification badge. Make sure to tell your healthcare professional if you think he or she has you confused with another patient, if you think you are about to receive the wrong medication or if something doesn’t seem right. Don’t assume anything. Ask your doctor about the specialized training and experience that qualify him or her to treat your illness. Medical terminology can be confusing; make sure you understand the words used by your caregivers. Be sure to ask any questions you may have before signing any forms. Write down important facts your doctor tells you. Help reduce the risk of infection. Remind caregivers and everyone around you to wash their hands before they care for you. Wash your own hands and keep any wounds clean and dry. If you or a loved one has suffered injuries or wrongful death due to healthcare safety errors, contact an attorney to discuss your legal options. The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz are board certified by the Florida Bar. Areas of practice include personal injury and accidents, fall and premises liability, wrongful death, medical malpractice. National Patient Safety Awareness Week is the perfect time to consider a call.

Southwest Florida Business Observer 40 Under 40 In October, the Southwest Florida Business Observer 40 Under 40 issue recognized area entrepreneurs, executives and community leaders selected from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Tampa Bay, Lakeland, Sarasota and Manatee. The area business magazine has selected 40 up-and-coming stars from nominations since 2014. In her profile in the magazine, partner Andrea Pleimling Smith said the best business lesson she’s ever learned was “the importance of client satisfaction — even with all the advertising we do, most of our clients come to us through referrals.”

Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz is a community leader in advocating for reducing drunk driving accidents. Accordingly, for the third year, the firm is a presenting sponsor for Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s (MADD) Walk Like MADD 5/10k walk and run. Importantly, the event raises money to ensure no one in our community suffers from drunk driving accidents. The Southwest Florida virtual event is planned Sept. 26 or Sept. 27 and hopes to raise $65,850. Although virtual, the Walk Like MADD still includes food coupons, finisher medals and custom neck gaiters. “Having committed community and event partners like Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice and Purtz, brings us closer to a community of No More Victims of drunk, drugged and impaired driving,” said Lori Burke, executive director of the MADD Southwest Florida Office. Why We Support MADD Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz staff and attorneys see the impact of drunk driving accidents through their clients, reinforcing their support for MADD. Firm partners Christopher and Andrea Smith personally support MADD. Chris leads fundraising for the the firm’s walk team. In addition, both Chris and Andrea have lost family members to drunk driving accidents. In fact, Chris was named after a family member who was killed by a drunken driver. Other Support for Reducing Drunk Driving Accidents Also, attorneys from the firm have been active in reducing drunk driving accidents, supporting area multi-jurisdiction DUI checkpoints. For the briefing dinner before these events, our firm often provides food for the officers. “Supporting the checkpoints demonstrates to the officers that the law firm and the community supports them in their dedication to make our community safer,” Burke said. Reducing drunk driving accidents is high on the list. On average, drunk driving harms two out of thee people in the U.S. during their lifetime. Every two minutes, a drunk driving crash injures someone. Every day, imparied driving kills 28 people. For information, to donate or to sign up for the Walk Like MADD click here.

Biking? You may need more than a helmet. In December, news media reported that Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson broke some ribs and punctured his lung after falling off his bike. In 2014, longtime television meteorologist Jim Reif died after sustaining head injuries from a bike accident. It was an important reminder that bicycle accidents can happen to anyone. If you received a bicycle for Christmas and are looking forward to riding in the cooler weather or are hoping to cycle to meet your new year’s exercise goals, take care. With weather conducive nearly year-round for bike use, Florida has a high number of cyclists. It also has a lot of motor vehicles and visitors who are not as familiar with area roadways, which may be why Florida has the highest number of bicycle accident deaths in the United States. Biking? You May Need More Than a Helmet In 2018, there were 6,568 reported bicycle crashes in Florida, resulting in 148 deaths and 6,175 injuries. For the first quarter of 2019, preliminary data reported 1,695 bicycle accidents statewide with 40 fatalities and 1,588 injuries. Many bicycle accidents go unreported, so the number are likely higher. Many bicycle accidents are caused by mistakes made by both bikers and motorists, with most fatalities caused by one or the other failing to yield the right of way. The Department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles notes these tips for motorists sharing the road with cyclists: Drivers must give bicyclists a minimum of three feet of clearance when driving alongside or passing them. It’s the law. When turning, yield to any bicyclist in the bike lane and make your turn behind them. Avoid using high beam headlights when a bicyclist is approaching. Before opening a car door, check for bicyclists who may be approaching from behind. In Florida, the bicycle is legally defined as a vehicle and has all the privileges, rights and responsibilities on public roads (except for expressways) that a motor vehicle operator does. When it comes down to a 20-pound bicycle versus a 3,000-plus pound automobile, however, it’s necessary for cyclists to be vigilant about their own safety. The Department of Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles suggests bicyclists should: Obey all traffic controls and signals. Not ride a bicycle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Stay alert – do not text or wear headphones or ear buds, so you can hear everything around you. Use the bike lane if you are not traveling at the speed of other traffic. If no bike lane is available, you must stay on the right-most side of the road. Use the full lane when making a left turn, passing, avoiding hazards or when a lane is too narrow for you and a car to share it safely. Use directional hand signals to show other drivers that you are about to turn. Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians on a sidewalk or crosswalk. Have a white light visible from 500 feet on the front and a reflector and red light visible from 600 feet on the rear between sunset and sunrise. Wear neon or fluorescent colors and something reflective when riding, day or night. Wear a helmet. Bicyclists under age 16 are required to wear helmets. While following the above safety tips will help ensure safer cycling, there is no way to eliminate the risks involved in riding a bicycle. If you are in a bike accident with a motor vehicle or another cyclist, be sure to get medical attention. You’ll also want to make sure the accident has been reported to police so there is a record. After the accident, it’s important to attempt to preserve your damaged bicycle and document the scene of the incident with photographs, including vehicles and any tire marks or other roadway evidence. The nature of the damage and evidence will help tell the story of who was at fault for the accident. An insurance investigator or claims adjuster may contact you regarding your claim. Unless you have discussed your case with an attorney, do not give a written or recorded statement or sign any releases for the insurance company. The claims adjuster works for the insurance company, and it’s the adjuster’s job to settle claims for the lowest amount possible, which is often less than many claims are worth. If you or someone you know has been injured in a bicycle accident due to the negligence of a motor vehicle driver, seek advice from an attorney experienced in personal injury cases. An attorney can advise you of your rights, help make sure you are receiving any required medical treatment needed and investigate your case.

Motor vehicle accidents occur for a variety of reasons. Things such as distracted driving, drowsy driving, reckless driving and driving under the influence have all resulted in car crashes at one point in time. In fact, as per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, car accidents occur every minute of the day. Yes, that is correct. Every minute of every day, someone is involved in a car accident. While these accidents do not all result in fatalities, a large sum of them do result in injuries, property damage or legal litigation. For over 5 decades, the attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice and Purtz have been helping victims of motor vehicle accidents seek justice. Motor Vehicle Accidents: The Car Crash Statistics There were 35,092 fatalities from motor vehicle accidents in 2015. (NHTSA) In 2015, 96 people died each day in motor vehicle crashes and 6,700 people were injured. (Insurance Information Institute, III) In 2016, motor vehicle deaths estimated to be the highest in nine years. (National Safety Council, NSC) In the United States, over 1,600 children under the age of 15 die in road crashes each year. (Association for Safe International Road Travel, ASIRT) Car Crash Statistics by Driver Behavior Speeding – In 2015, 9,557 people died in speed-related accidents (NHTSA) Drunk Driving – 10,265 lives were lost in 2015 due to alcohol impaired driving crashes (NHTSA) Running Red Light – More than 900 fatalities and 2,000 injuries result from running red lights (IIHS) Distracted Driving – In 2015, 3,477 people died and 391,000 people were injured due to distracted driving (NHTSA) Drowsy Driving – Studies have shown that 37 percent of drivers report having fallen asleep behind the wheel at some point in their lives (AAA) Cell Phone Use – Cell phone use contributes to 1.6 million crashes each year (NSC) Aggressive Driving – 66% of traffic fatalities are due to aggressive driving (Safe Motorist) Auto insurance industries estimate that over the course of a driver’s lifetime it is likely that each motorist will be involved in 3-4 auto accidents. If you are involved in a motor vehicle accident, there is a chance that the accident is due to the negligence of another driver. Should this be the case, it is important to seek legal advice to protect your rights. Who To Call If Injured in Southwest Florida Motor Vehicle Accidents The attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz are here for you. If you have been a victim in a motor vehicle accident and are suffering injuries, contact our experienced personal injury lawyers. We are available to answer any questions that you may have regarding the auto accident and can help you protect your legal rights. We have over 5 decades of experience with personal injury cases and can handle the insurance companies and investigations while you concentrate on your recovery. We have six offices across Southwest Florida. Our offices are located in Fort Myers (two offices to serve you), Cape Coral, Naples, Lehigh Acres and Port Charlotte. For more information about our legal services, call us today at (800) 332-9404.

Personal Injury While Shopping in Southwest Florida Retailers should do their best to make your shopping experience the safest it can be – especially so customers avoid personal injury while shopping. The retail industry in the United States is incredibly large, and growing. According to the CDC, over 5 million Americans are employed through retail stores. Florida is one of the busiest shopping states with 26% of our employment coming from the retail market. Unfortunately, an industry so vast is not without misconduct. Negligence on the part of the store can sometimes lead to personal injury. Types of Florida Retail Store Accidents The most common types of accidents in retail establishments can be avoided if the store takes the steps to create a safe environment. The first common injury category is slip and fall, usually as a result of wet floors, spills, poor lighting, or walkway obstructions. Slip and falls can also occur in an establishment’s parking lot due to poor road conditions or standing water. Injuries to a person not resulting from a slip or fall but still due to adverse conditions in the store such as falling items, low signs, and items out of reach are also common. Finally, faulty shopping equipment such as shopping carts and baskets can result in customer injury. Sometimes injuries are not a result of the day to day conditions of the store, but due to overcrowding during the busy shopping season, such as Black Friday. If the store fails to manage crowd control, leading to a mêlée, injuries can occur. If you sustain an injury while shopping, the store may be liable if you feel they were aware of the conditions that lead to the accident, or even if you feel as though they should have been aware. If you are injured while shopping, and you feel it was the fault of the store, it is important to document the conditions of the accident with photos and witnesses and to seek legal assistance. Who to Call If You Sustain Personal Injury While Shopping in Southwest Florida If you or someone you love has been injured while shopping, it is important to seek legal counsel. SWFL attorneys at Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice & Purtz have over 50 years of legal experience in dealing with personal injuries. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.